Ballistic picture frame for two dimensional targets

ABSTRACT

A ballistic picture frame for holding two dimensional paper targets, photographs or print art used for dry-fire training. The ballistic picture frame holds paper targets, photographs, or other two dimensional graphics or prints like conventional picture frames, but also provides a ballistic barrier for enhanced safety during dry-fire training. The ballistic frame includes a back panel constructed of ballistic materials that prevent projectile penetration through the frame in the event of a negligent discharge.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/260,234 filed Nov. 25, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

This invention relates to picture frames, and in particular a ballistic picture frame for holding two dimensional targets, photographs or print art used for dry-fire training.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide a ballistic picture frame for holding two dimensional paper targets, photographs or print art used for dry-fire training. Dry-fire training is where a shooter practices the fundamentals of marksmanship firing an unloaded weapon at targets without discharging a live round. While dry-fire training is theoretically safe when done properly with an unloaded weapon, human error can lead to negligent discharges when the weapon is mistakenly loaded with live ammunition.

The ballistic picture frames of this invention provide a target structure for holding two dimensional paper targets, photographs or print art for use during dry-fire training. The ballistic picture frames hold paper targets, photographs, or other two dimensional graphics or prints like conventional picture frames, but also provide a ballistic barrier for enhanced safety during dry-fire training. Each embodiment of the ballistic picture frame includes a back panel constructed of ballistic materials that prevent projectile penetration through the frame in the event of a negligent discharge. In various embodiments, the ballistic picture frames include a peripheral frame molding with a mating peripheral front cover frame, which holds the two dimensional target against the ballistic back panel. The ballistic picture frames of this invention may be dimensional and configured to receive any size paper target, photograph or print and can be mounted to any wall, surface, stand or structure.

The above described features and advantages, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may take form in various system and method components and arrangement of system and method components. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating exemplary embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. The drawings illustrate the present invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the ballistic picture frame of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded top view of the picture frame of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the picture frame of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of the picture frame of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the picture frame of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of the picture frame of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

The drawings illustrate two embodiments of the ballistic picture frame of this invention. The ballistic picture frames of this invention provide a ballistic barrier that holds paper targets, photographs, or other two dimensional graphics or prints for use in dry-fire firearm training. Each embodiment includes a back “ballistic barrier” panel constructed of suitable ballistic fabrics and composites, such as Kevlar® and Dyneema®, that prevent projectile penetration through the frame. The back panels of the ballistic picture frames may be constructed with metal sub-frames of steel or titanium, or may be fully constructed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (‘UHMWPE’) layered with foam or ceramic composites. In certain embodiments, other frame components, such as peripheral side moldings and covers may also be constructed of ballistic fabrics and composites as desired. The ballistic picture frames can be dimensional and configured to receive any size paper target, photograph or print. In addition, each ballistic picture frame is adapted to hang from any wall or structure, like a conventional picture frame, using wall hangers, hooks, fasteners and the like.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of the ballistic picture frame of this invention, which is designated generally as reference numeral 100. Picture frame 100 includes back member 110 and front cover frame 120 constructed from ballistic material. Back member 100 includes a flat back panel 112 and a peripheral side molding 114. The side molding is bonded to the front face of back panel 112 by a suitable adhesive or affixed using screw fasteners. Cover frame 120 is dimensioned to seat inside peripheral side molding 114. Paper target 10 is held between the back panel 110 and cover frame 120. Cover frame 120 seats within side molding 114 of back member 110 and is secured by a snap fit connection or other suitable means to allow the paper targets, photographs and prints to be readily changed.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate two alternative embodiments of the ballistic picture frame of this invention, which are designated generally as reference numerals 200 and 300. Picture frames 200 and 300 are similar to picture frame 100 in function and construction. Picture frame 200 eliminates the retaining front cover frame mounted to the backing member. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, picture frame 200 includes a back member 210 constructed of ballistic material having a flat back panel 212 and a peripheral side molding 224. As shown, side molding 225 has a recessed slotted channel 215 formed in its inner face allowing paper target 10 to be inserted and held within frame 200. As shown in FIG. 6, picture frame 300 includes a flat back member 310 constructed of ballistic material. The paper target 10 is simply affixed to back member 310 with an adhesive or other suitable means. Picture frame 300 also includes a non-ballistic peripheral border 320, which is typically a conventional wood, metal or polymer picture frame molding used to frame artwork, posters and photographs.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that an invention having significant advantages has been provided. While the invention is shown in only a few of its forms, it is not just limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. The embodiment of the present invention herein described and illustrated is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is presented to explain the invention so that others skilled in the art might utilize its teachings. The embodiment of the present invention may be modified within the scope of the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A ballistic picture frame to support a two dimensional target for use during dry-fire firearms training, the ballistic picture frame comprising: a first frame part having a planar back panel against which the two dimensional target overlies; and a second frame part mounted to the first frame part to hold the two dimensional target against the back panel, the back panel is constructed of ballistic material selected to prevent a projectile from penetrating through the first frame part in the event of a discharge of a firearm.
 2. The ballistic picture frame of claim 1 wherein the first frame part includes a peripheral side molding affixed to the back panel defining an open face of the first frame part, the two dimensional target disposed within the open face of the first frame part against the back panel.
 3. The ballistic picture frame of claim 2 wherein the second frame part seats within the open face of the first frame part and abuts the peripheral side molding so that the two dimensional target is seated between the first frame member and second frame member, the second frame member having a central opening therein through which the two dimensional target is visible.
 4. The ballistic picture frame of claim 2 wherein the side molding is constructed of ballistic material selected to prevent a projectile from penetrating through the first frame part in the event of a discharge of a firearm.
 5. The ballistic picture frame of claim 1 wherein the second frame part includes a peripheral side molding affixed to the first frame part around the back panel defining a central opening therein through which the two dimensional target is visible.
 6. The ballistic picture frame of claim 5 wherein the peripheral side molding has a recessed inward facing slot around the central opening for receiving the two dimensional target therein.
 7. The ballistic picture frame of claim 5 wherein the peripheral side molding is constructed of ballistic material selected to prevent a projectile from penetrating through the first frame part in the event of a discharge of a firearm. 